U.S. patent number 6,347,303 [Application Number 09/164,579] was granted by the patent office on 2002-02-12 for system configuration proposal method and tool therefor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hitachi, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Susumu Matsui, Yasuhiko Nagai, Yoshiyuki Nakayama.
United States Patent |
6,347,303 |
Nagai , et al. |
February 12, 2002 |
System configuration proposal method and tool therefor
Abstract
A system configuration evaluation/proposal support method of
supporting the effect evaluation of a support system for enhancing
the business processing ability of a human and a system
configuration proposal suitable to a business process, and a tool
for the method are provided in the following manner. Data of a
functional process model expressing a business process on a basic
function element unit of information processing, a system
configuration candidate constructed by a combination of an
information system resource and a human resource, the degree of
relationship between a functional process item and a related
functional item provided by the system configuration candidate, the
degree of importance of the functional process item, the degree of
functional sufficiency of the provided functional item, and the
degree of relationship of both items is defined. An operation for
evaluating the functional support suitability of the system
configuration candidate is executed by a mapping function
calculation. A suitability analysis process, an analysis/evaluation
result display process, and proposed system updating determination
are performed.
Inventors: |
Nagai; Yasuhiko (Bunkyo-ku,
JP), Nakayama; Yoshiyuki (Kawasaki, JP),
Matsui; Susumu (Machida, JP) |
Assignee: |
Hitachi, Ltd. (Tokyo,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
17479083 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/164,579 |
Filed: |
October 1, 1998 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Oct 2, 1997 [JP] |
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9-269922 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/7.14;
705/7.12; 705/7.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q
10/06 (20130101); G06Q 10/063112 (20130101); G06Q
10/06311 (20130101); G06Q 10/0631 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06Q
10/00 (20060101); B65G 057/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;705/1,7,8,9,10 ;717/1
;706/45 ;703/6 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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770967 |
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May 1997 |
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EP |
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2001109794 |
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Apr 2001 |
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JP |
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Other References
"Workgroup Computing Report", vol. 18, No. 6, pp 2-15, 1996. .
Kettinger, William J; Teng, James T C; Guha, Subashish. Business
process change: A study of methodologies, techniques, and tools.
MIS Quarterly [online], Mar. 1, 1997 [retrieved on Aug. 20, 2001],
v21n1. Retrieved from Dialog Information Services, Palo Alto, CA,
USA. Accession No. 01472447 , pp. 55-80.* .
Gaughan, Thomas R. The systems dimension of process re-engineering.
CMA Magazine [online], Nov. 1, 1996 [retrieved on Aug. 21, 2001],
v70n9, Retrieved from Dialog Information Services, Palo Alto, CA,
USA. Accession No. 01335916 , pp. 12-15.* .
Dennis, Alan R; Daniels, Robert M Jr; Hayes, Glenda; Nunamaker, Jay
F Jr. Methodology-driven use of automated support in business
process re-engineering. Journal of Management Information Systems:
JMIS [online], Winter 1993-1994 [retrieved on Aug. 21, 2001],
v10n3. Retrieved from Dialog Information Services. Palo Alto, CA,
USA. Accession No. 00847898 , pp. 117-138.* .
Conducting business technology planning. Managing Office Technology
[online], Jul. 1, 1997 [retrieved on Aug. 21, 2001], v42n7.
Retrieved from Dialog Information Services, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
Accession No. 01520494 , pp. 10-12..
|
Primary Examiner: Hafiz; Tariq R.
Assistant Examiner: Robertson; D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Antonelli, Terry,Stout & Kraus,
LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A system configuration proposal method in an information
processing system comprising an information processor, an
information storage, and an input/output device, comprising the
steps of:
defining a business process model expressing a business process
whose system configuration is to be proposed, by a combination of
functional processing items defined within an information frame and
storing the business process model in said information storage by
said information processor;
setting the degree of importance of each functional processing item
in said business process model by said information processor;
defining a candidate of a system resource for carrying out said
business process as a combination of functional items provided by
said system resource and storing the candidate in said information
storage by said information processor;
setting the degree of functional sufficiency of each functional
item provided by said system resource by said information
processor;
setting the degree of relationship between each of the functional
processing items of said business process model and the functional
items provided by said system resource by said information
processor;
calculating the degree of functional suitability of the candidate
of said system resource on the basis of said degree of
relationship, the degree of importance of the functional processing
items of said business process model, and the degree of functional
sufficiency of the functional items provided by said system
resource by said information processor, said degree of functional
suitability being equal to a difference between a degree of
attainment and said degree of importance and said degree of
attainment being equal to a calculated value obtained by a mapping
function relating said degree of relationship and said degree of
functional sufficiency; and
determining said system configuration proposal by the candidate of
said system resource on the basis of evaluation indices including
said functional suitability.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said system resource
comprises:
at least one of an information system used for carrying out said
business process and a human resource.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said degree of
relationship, the degree of importance of the processing item of
said business process model, and the degree of functional
sufficiency of the functional items provided by said system
resource comprise numerical information.
4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:
a step of generating an evaluation window in a display mode
designated on the basis of said evaluation indices and outputting
the window by said input/output device.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said information frame
comprises a 5W1H frame.
6. A system configuration proposal method in an information
processing system comprising an information processor, an
information storage, and an input/output device, comprising the
steps of:
defining a functional process model expressing a processing item of
a business process whose system configuration is to be proposed, by
a combination of items in a basic function element unit of
information processing and storing the functional process model in
said information storage by said information processor, said items
in a basic function element unit being defined within an
information frame;
setting the degree of importance of each basic function element
item of said functional process model by said information
processor;
defining a candidate of a system resource for carrying out said
functional process by a combination of functional items provided by
said system resource and storing the candidate in said information
storage by said information processor;
setting the degree of functional sufficiency of each functional
item provided by said system resource by said information
processor;
setting the degree of relationship between each of the basic
function element items of said functional process model and the
functional items provided by said system resource by said
information processor;
calculating the degree of functional suitability of the candidate
of said system resource by said information processor on the basis
of said degree of relationship, the degree of importance of the
basic function element item of said functional process model, and
the degree of functional sufficiency of said functional items
provided by said system resource, said degree of functional
suitability being equal to a difference between a degree of
attainment and said degree of importance and said degree of
attainment being equal to a calculated value obtained by a mapping
function relating said degree of relationship and said degree of
functional sufficiency; and
determining said system configuration proposal by the candidate of
said system resource on the basis of evaluation indices including
said functional suitability.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said system resource
comprises:
at least one of an information system used for carrying out said
functional process and a human resource.
8. A method according to claim 6, wherein said degree of
relationship, the degree of importance of the basic function
element item of said functional process model, and the degree of
functional sufficiency of the functional items provided by said
system resource comprise numerical information.
9. A method according to claim 6, wherein the step of calculating
the degree of functional suitability of the candidate of said
system resource further comprises the step of:
calculating the necessity of each functional item provided by said
system resource by the mapping operation by a reverse mapping
function using the degree of importance of the basic function
element item of said functional process model and said degree of
relationship.
10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps
of:
generating an evaluation window showing the suitability to the
basic function element item of said functional process model by the
difference between said calculated degree of attainment and the
degree of importance with respect to the basic function element
item of said each functional process; and
generating an evaluation window showing the degree of
excessiveness/deficiency of each provided functional item by the
difference between said calculated degree of necessity and the
degree of sufficiency with respect to each functional item provided
by said system resource.
11. A method according to claim 9, wherein said degree of
relationship is a relationship matrix of the basic function element
items of said functional process model and the functional items
provided by said system resource.
12. A method according to claim 6, wherein the basic function
element item of said functional process model comprises:
a process for grouping the basic function element items of each of
said functional processes into types of individual work, group
communication, group coordination, and group collaboration;
a process for totalling and normalizing the basic function element
items of each functional process on said group unit basis; and
a process for calculating the functional suitability of each
information processing type.
13. A method according to claim 6, wherein the basic function
element item of said functional process model comprises:
a process for grouping the basic function element items of each of
said functional processes into information processing levels of a
skill level, a rule level, and a knowledge level;
a process for totalling and normalizing the suitability of the
basic function element items of each functional process on said
group unit basis; and
a process for calculating a value relating to evaluation of the
functional suitability at each information processing level.
14. A method according to claim 6, wherein the basic function
element item of said functional process model comprises:
a process for grouping the basic function element items of said
each functional process into mutual action (interactive loop) types
of human and information systems for a business process, of a human
loop, a machine loop, a human-GUI loop, and a human-machine
loop;
a process for totalling and normalizing the suitability of the
basic function element items of each functional process on said
group unit basis; and
a process for calculating a value relating to evaluation of the
functional suitability of each of said interactive loop types.
15. A method according to claim 6, further comprising:
a step of generating an evaluation window in a display mode
designated on the basis of said evaluation indices and outputting
the window by said input/output device.
16. A method according to claim 6, wherein said information frame
comprises a 5W1H frame.
17. A system configuration proposal tool comprising:
an information processor;
an information storage;
an input/output device;
means for defining a business process model expressing a business
process whose system configuration is to be proposed, by a
combination of functional processing items defined within an
information frame and storing the business process model in said
information storage by said information processor;
means for setting the degree of importance of each functional
processing item of said business process model by said information
processor;
means for defining a candidate of a system resource for carrying
out said business process by a combination of functional items
provided by said system resource and storing the candidate in said
information storage by said information processor;
means for setting the degree of functional sufficiency of each
functional item provided by said system resource by said
information processor;
means for setting the degree of relationship between each of the
processing functional items of said business process model and the
functional items provided by said system resource by said
information processor;
means for calculating the degree of functional suitability of the
candidate of said system resource by said information processor on
the basis of said degree of relationship, the degree of importance
of the processing item of said business process model, and the
degree of functional sufficiency of the functional items provided
by said system resource, said degree of functional suitability
being equal to a difference between a degree of attainment and said
degree of importance and said degree of attainment being equal to a
calculated value obtained by a mapping function relating said
degree of relationship and said degree of functional sufficiency;
and
means for executing a function of determining said system
configuration proposal by the candidate of said system resource on
the basis of evaluation indices including said functional
suitability.
18. A system configuration proposal tool according to claim 17,
further comprising:
means for executing a function of generating an evaluation window
in a display mode designated on the basis of said evaluation
indices and outputting the window by said input/output device.
19. A tool according to claim 17, wherein said information frame
comprises a 5W1H frame.
20. A system configuration proposal tool comprising:
an information processor;
an information storage;
an input/output device;
means for defining a functional process model expressing functional
processing items of a business process whose system configuration
is to be proposed, by a combination of items in a basic function
element unit basis of information processing and storing the
functional process model in said information storage by said
information processor, said items in a basic function element unit
being defined within an information frame;
means for setting the degree of importance of each of the basic
function element items of said functional process model by said
information processor;
means for defining a candidate of a system resource for carrying
out said functional process as a combination of functional items
provided by said system resource and storing the candidate in said
information storage by said information processor;
means for setting the degree of functional sufficiency of each
functional item provided by said system resource by said
information processor;
means for setting the degree of relationship between each of the
basic function element items of said functional process model and
the functional item provided by said system resource by said
information processor;
means for calculating the degree of functional suitability of the
candidate of said system resource by said information processor on
the basis of said degree of relationship, the degree of importance
of the basic function element item of said functional process
model, and the degree of functional sufficiency of the functional
items provided by said system resource, said degree of functional
suitability being equal to a difference between a degree of
attainment and said degree of importance and said degree of
attainment being equal to a calculated value obtained by a mapping
function relating said degree of relationship and said degree of
functional sufficiency; and
means for executing a function of determining said system
configuration proposal by the candidate of said system resource on
the basis of evaluation indices including said functional
suitability.
21. A tool according to claim 20, wherein the means for defining
said functional process model further comprises:
a first function means of defining a status process model
expressing a status transition of each processing item of the
business process from said business process model as a lower layer
of the business process model;
a second function means of hierarchically defining in detail the
processing item executed in each status of said status process
model and its transition as a functional process model and as a
lower layer of the status process model; and
a function means of supporting so as to inductively and
systematically lead the functional process model by causing said
second function means to execute after said first function means
has executed.
22. A tool according to claim 20, wherein the function means of
determining said system configuration proposal further
comprises:
means for using business suitability, a degree of
excessiveness/deficiency of the function of the provided function
item, and a system introducing cost as criteria for selecting the
system configuration and for interactively setting a relative
weight of each criterion by the user of the tool,
thereby enabling the system configuration in which preference of
the system introducer is reflected to be realized.
23. A system configuration proposal tool according to claim 20,
further comprising:
means for executing a function of generating an evaluation window
in a display mode designated on the basis of said evaluation
indices and outputting the window by said input/output device.
24. A tool according to claim 23, wherein the function means of
generating said evaluation window and outputting the window by said
input/output device further comprises:
means for visually displaying the degree of functional suitability
by a graph; and
means for grouping the results of business suitability and a degree
of excessiveness/deficiency of functions of provided functional
items in accordance with the difference between a necessary level
and an attainment level and identifying and displaying the
particulars of the degree of excessiveness/deficiency of the
functions by a bar graph.
25. A tool according to claim 23, wherein the function means of
generating said evaluation window and outputting said evaluation
window by said input/output device further comprises:
means for visually displaying the functional suitability by a
graph; and
means for displaying the results of business suitability of each
functional process element item and the sufficiency of a degree of
excessiveness/deficiency of the provided function of the system
providing function item by a broken line graph expressing a
necessary level and an attainment level.
26. A tool according to claim 23, wherein the function means of
generating said evaluation window and outputting it by said
input/output device further comprises:
means for visually displaying the functional suitability by a
graph; and
means for displaying the evaluation result of support suitability
with respect to each of the level and type of information
processing and the type of the interactive processing by a broken
line graph using axes of the types.
27. A tool according to claim 20, wherein the function means of
determining said system configuration proposal further
comprises:
means for prioritizing the system configurations in accordance with
a ranking of the systems configurations based on the values of at
least one of the performance indices from a good evaluation result
having higher value performance indices and displaying the
result.
28. A tool according to claim 20, further comprising:
a database server in which process model/system configuration
candidate information as shared sample information in the event of
said system configuration proposal is classified into the business
process types and is registered; and
means for using or re-using the sample information as a sample by
connecting a plurality of system configuration proposal tools to
the server via a network.
29. A tool according to claim 20, wherein said information frame
comprises a 5W1H frame.
30. A program product which is used by an information processing
system comprising an information processor, an information storage,
and an input/output device, comprising an information storage
medium which can be read by said information processing system and
stores programs for executing the following processes:
a process for defining a business process model expressing a
business process whose system configuration is to be proposed, by a
combination of functional processing items defined within an
information frame and storing the business process model in said
information storage by said information processor;
a process for setting the degree of importance of each of the
functional processing items of said business process model by said
information processor;
a process for defining a candidate of a system resource for
carrying out said business process as a combination of functional
items provided by said system resource and storing the candidate in
said information storage by said information processor;
a process for setting the degree of functional sufficiency of each
functional item provided by said system resource by said
information processor;
a process for setting the degree of relationship between each of
the functional processing items of said business process model and
the functional items provided by said system resource by said
information processor;
a process for calculating the degree of functional suitability of
the candidate of said system resource by said information processor
on the basis of said degree of relationship, the degree of
importance of the functional processing item of said business
process model, and the degree of functional sufficiency of the
functional items provided by said system resource, said degree of
functional suitability being equal to a difference between a degree
of attainment and said degree of importance and said degree of
attainment being equal to a calculated value obtained by a mapping
function relating said degree of relationship and said degree of
functional sufficiency; and
a process for determining said system configuration proposal by the
candidate of said system resource on the basis of evaluation
indices including said functional suitability.
31. A program product according to claim 30, further
comprising:
a process for generating an evaluation window in a display mode
designated on the basis of said evaluation indices and outputting
it by said input/output device.
32. A program product according to claim 30, wherein said
information frame comprises a 5W1H frame.
33. A program product which is used by an information processing
system comprising an information processor, an information storage,
and an input/output device, comprising an information storage
medium which can be read by said information processing system and
stores programs for executing the following processes:
a process for defining a functional process model expressing
functional processing items of a business process whose system
configuration is to be proposed, by a combination of items on a
basic function element unit of information processing and storing
the functional process model in said information storage by said
information processor, said items in a basic function element unit
being defined within an information frame;
a process for setting the degree of importance of each of the basic
function element items of said functional process model by said
information processor;
a process for defining a candidate of a system resource for
carrying out said functional process as a combination of functional
items provided by said system resource and storing the candidate in
said information storage by said information processor;
a process for setting the degree of functional sufficiency of each
of the functional items provided by said system resource by said
information processor;
a process for setting the degree of relationship between each of
the basic function element items of said functional process model
and the functional items provided by said system resource by said
information processor;
a process for calculating the degree of functional suitability of
the candidate of said system resource by said information processor
on the basis of said degree of relationship, the degree of
importance of the basic function element items of said business
process model, and the degree of functional sufficiency of the
functional items provided by said system resource, said degree of
functional suitability being equal to a difference between a degree
of attainment and said degree of importance and said degree of
attainment being equal to a calculated value obtained by a mapping
function relating said degree of relationship and said degree of
functional sufficiency; and
a process for determining said system configuration proposal by the
candidate of said system resource on the basis of evaluation
indices including said functional suitability.
34. A program product according to claim 33, further
comprising:
a process for generating an evaluation window in a display mode
designated on the basis of said evaluation indices and outputting
it by said input/output device.
35. A program product according to claim 33, wherein said
information frame comprises a 5W1H frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of The Invention
The present invention relates to a method of evaluating the effects
of a system for enhancing the business processing ability of a
human and proposing a system configuration suitable to a business
process and a (support) tool based on the method. More
particularly, the invention relates to a system configuration
evaluation and proposal supporting method of supporting a
preliminary estimation of the effects of a system and a
configuration proposal at a planning stage of
construction/improvement of an information system, an SI (System
Integration) support tool based on the method, a method of
evaluating a functional suitability between a business process and
an information system, and method and tool for proposing a system
configuration based on the evaluation method.
2. Description of the Related Art
At the planning stage of construction/improvement of an information
system, a system configuration evaluation/proposal supporting
method for supporting preliminary estimation of the effects of a
system and the configuration proposal and an SI (System
Integration) support tool based on the method are necessary.
Specifically, in a system improvement proposal, that is, system
configuration proposal such as fitting, expansion, and shift of an
existing system based on a business process analysis at a planning
stage of an information system in an information system department
of a company or the like, or in a system proposal when a solution
provider provides consultation on configuration or an SI service
for an information system based on a business process analysis to a
customer, especially, consultation on configuration or an SI
service not only for a conventional system for realizing
rationalization and reduction in the number of workers by
automatization but also for a business supporting type information
system for realizing improvement in the performance of a business
process using groupware, intranet/internet, CTI (Computer Telephony
Integration), and the like, in order to support the introduction
and proposal of an information system configuration having high
investment effects by selecting and combining platforms and tools
adapted to a business process whose configuration is to be proposed
and the ability of a person in charge of the business from platform
and tool groups having various functions, a method of evaluating
the functional suitability between the business process and the
information system and a system configuration proposal support tool
based on the method are necessary.
In order to support the work at the planning stage of the
configuration/improvement of an information system, various system
planning methods and supporting tools are conventionally used,
especially, the technique for supporting analysis and evaluation of
a process by modelling a business process to be systemized as a
process map by the expression of a hierarchical flowchart or
network to simulate response time throughput, costs, and the like
of the process has been proposed. The technique is described in
literature such as ".,IEEE transactions on systems, man and
cybernetics", Vol. 26, No. 5, September, pp 572-582, 1996 and
"Workgroup Computing Report", Vol. 18, No. 6, pp 3-15, 1996. The
technique for supporting an upstream design process of the system
from a business process definition is described in "Nikkei BP, An
introduction to CIS database design", June, 1996. Further, the
technique for evaluating the suitability of the function provided
by a simulator to a task carried out by a driver during driving in
an educational scene by using fuzzy relationship in order to
support the design of the simulator for safety driving education of
a vehicle, a two-wheeled vehicle, and the like is described in
"IATSS Research", Vol. 17, No. 1, 1993.
The conventional techniques for supporting the analysis/evaluation
of the business process or upstream design, however, perform
quantitative evaluation of response time, throughput, costs, and
the like by paying attention to only the evaluation of the
configuration of a process or the process itself and do not
analyze/evaluate influences on an information system as a means for
executing the process and the process of the human processing
ability. That is, in order to realize the present business process,
it is indispensable to support the information technique and
information system. However, there is no means for evaluating what
effects supposed to be obtained by executing which support of
arrangement of human resources and computerization to which part of
the process and for evaluating if the support is sufficient.
Consequently, even if a bottleneck on the process is found and the
configuration of the process can be improved or reformed,
association to a specific realization means depends on the ability
of a person who analyzes and designs. It is therefore difficult to
perform proper association and a work load is heavy.
In the association, from the necessity of a computerization support
which can immediately deal with a change in a business strategy,
present information systems are not developed as a ready-made
product but rather a flexible system is constructed by combining a
plurality of general tools as components. It is, however, difficult
to effectively and efficiently select tools suited to a business
process from a group of candidate tools having various features.
Especially, in a future business environment which requires
provision of original items and service oriented to a customer,
competitiveness largely depends on a value obtained from a
knowledgeable worker and depends on how successfully a system using
groupware and intranet/internet for effectively supporting business
communication, coordination, and collaboration of the workers can
be realized.
The trend is being shifted from the conventional computerization
support for rationalization and reduction in the number of workers
by automatization to the computerization support for improving the
business processing ability of a worker. It is therefore an
important subject to evaluate the suitability among the process,
the ability of the worker, and the information system and to
configure a system on the basis of the evaluation.
According to the conventional techniques, since the support is
insufficient and the techniques are not suitable for an effect
evaluation of a new type of computerization support, there are
problems such that information investment effects cannot be seen
and it is difficult to perform effective tool selection, system
configuration, and optimum arrangement of human resources.
On the other hand, the conventional technique of the simulator
design support can evaluate the suitability between the task and
system providing function. Since a system called a simulator for
simulating a substance is used, necessary, support functional items
can be presumed and evaluation regarding the functional items can
be performed. The technique has, however, a problem such that the
technique cannot be sufficiently applied to an object which
requires one to systematically add new necessary functions having
support effects like a case of evaluating a system in which
although components of utilized tools exist, information, such as
an information system configuration and arrangement of human
resources for supporting a business process, does not exist.
That is, since the conventional system planning method and support
tools are used to plan a system for rationalization and reduction
in the number of workers by automatization, the method and tools
cannot evaluate the effects and suitability of computerization
support with respect to a support for planning of a support type
information system at present and for improving the business
processing ability using groupware and the like in the future. As a
result, there is a problem such that the information investment
effects do not appear, and it is difficult to effectively and
efficiently select the tools and components of the system
configuration elements suitable for the business process and to
configure the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a system configuration
evaluation/proposal support method which can quantitatively
evaluate the influences of a support information system and the
ability of a related worker on a business process and system
configuration proposal method and tool for SI support based on the
method in order to evaluate the effects of a support system for
enhancing the business processing ability of a human and to propose
the system configuration suitable to a business process.
In order to achieve the object, according to the invention, there
are provided a system configuration proposal method and tool in an
information processing system, comprising the steps of:
defining a business process model expressing a business process
whose system configuration is to be proposed, by a combination of
functional processing items defined within an information frame and
storing the business process model in an information storage;
setting the degree of importance of each of the functional
processing items of the business process model;
defining a candidate of a system resource for carrying out the
business process by a combination of functional items provided by
the system resource and storing the candidate in the information
storage;
setting the degree of functional sufficiency of each functional
item provided by the system resource;
setting the degree of relationship between each of the functional
processing items of the business process model and the functional
items provided by the system resource;
calculating the degree of functional suitability of the candidate
of the system resource on the basis of the degree of relationship,
the degree of importance of the functional processing items of the
business process model, and the degree of functional sufficiency of
the functional items provided by the system resource; and
determining the system configuration proposal by the candidate of
the system resource on the basis of evaluation indices including
the functional suitability, and/or generating an evaluation window
in a display mode designated on the basis of the evaluation indices
and outputting the window by an input/output device.
More specifically, according to the invention, there are provided
system configuration proposal method and tool in an information
processing system, comprising the steps of:
defining a functional process model expressing a functional
processing item of a business process whose system configuration is
to be proposed, by a combination of items in a basic function
element unit of information processing and storing the functional
process model in an information storage, said items in a basic
function element unit being defined within an information
frame;
setting the degree of importance of each of the basic function
element items of the functional process model;
defining a candidate of a system resource for carrying out the
functional process by a combination of functional items provided by
the system resource and storing the candidate in the information
storage;
setting the degree of functional sufficiency of each functional
item provided by the system resource;
setting the degree of relationship between each of the basic
function element items of the functional process model and the
functional items provided by the system resource;
calculating the degree of functional suitability of the candidate
of the system resource on the basis of the degree of relationship,
the degree of importance of the basic function element items of the
functional process model, and the degree of functional sufficiency
of the functional items provided by the system resource; and
determining the system configuration proposal by the candidate of
the system resource on the basis of evaluation indices including
the functional suitability, and/or generating an evaluation window
in a display mode designated on the basis of the evaluation indices
and outputting the window by an input/output device.
Embodiments of the above will be described as follows.
In order to achieve the object, according to a first embodiment of
the invention, there is provided a method of supporting an
evaluation of effects of a support system for enhancing the
business processing ability of a human and a system configuration
proposal suited to a business process, comprising:
a step of defining a functional process model expressing functional
processing items of the business process whose system configuration
is to be proposed, in a basic function element unit of information
processing;
a step of receiving and defining a setting of the degree of
importance of each of the function element items in the functional
process;
a step of defining a candidate of an information system which is
used as a means for carrying out the functional process by
receiving designation of the functional items provided by the
utilized information system and a human information processing
function of human resources and combining the designated functional
items;
a step of receiving and defining a setting of the degree of
functional sufficiency of the provided functional items;
a step of receiving a setting for associating the element items of
each functional process with the functional items provided by each
system configuration candidate and defining the setting of the
degree of relationship;
a step of executing an operation for obtaining an index for
evaluating the degree of functional support suitability of the
system configuration candidate by a predetermined function using
the degree of relationship between the functional process item and
the related functional item provided by the system configuration
candidate, the degree of importance of the functional process item,
and the degree of functional sufficiency of the provided functional
item;
a step of generating and displaying an evaluation window in a
designated display mode by using the calculated index; and
a step of determining a system configuration to be proposed from
the defined system configuration candidates.
With respect to all of the degrees of relationship between the
functional process item and the related functional item provided by
the system configuration candidate, the degree of importance of the
functional process item, and the degree of functional sufficiency
of the provided functional item, the setting contents can be
defined by numerical values.
In the step of executing the calculation for obtaining indices for
evaluating the functional support suitability of the system
configuration candidate, the degree of attainment of the element
item of each functional process is calculated as one of the indices
by a mapping operation of a mapping function using the degree of
functional sufficiency and the degree of relationship. The degree
of necessity of each provided functional item can be calculated as
one of the indices by a mapping operation of a reverse mapping
function using the degree of importance of the element item of each
functional process and the degree of relationship.
In the step of generating and displaying the evaluation window, an
evaluation window showing the suitability of the support to the
element item of each functional process of the provided support
function to the business process is generated by the difference
between the calculated degree of attainment and the degree of
importance with respect to the element item of each functional
process, and an evaluation window showing the degree of functional
excessiveness/deficiency of each provided functional item by the
difference between the calculated degree of necessity and the
degree of sufficiency with respect to each provided functional item
can be generated.
The degree of relationship between the functional process item and
the functional item provided by the system configuration candidate
can be defined as an association matrix of the functional process
items and the functional items provided by the system configuration
candidate.
In the step of defining the functional process model, the function
element can be set in accordance with an information frame in which
conceptual levels of languages are unified by a language
configuration of 5W1H.
According to a second embodiment of the invention, there is
provided a system configuration proposal tool for supporting an
evaluation of effects of a supporting system for enhancing the
business processing ability of a human and a system configuration
proposal suited to a business process, comprising:
means for defining a functional process model expressing functional
items of the business process whose system configuration is to be
proposed in a basic function element unit of information
processing;
means for receiving and defining a setting of the degree of
importance of each of function element items in the functional
process;
means for defining a candidate of an information system which is
used as a means for carrying out the functional process by
receiving designation of the functional items provided by the
utilized information system and human information processing
functions of human resources and combining the designated
functional items;
means for receiving and defining a setting of the degree of
functional sufficiency of the provided functional items; means for
receiving a setting for associating the element items of each
functional process with the functional items provided by each
system configuration candidate and defining the setting of the
degree of relationship;
means for executing an operation for obtaining an index for
evaluating the degree of functional support suitability of the
system configuration candidate by a predetermined function using
the degree of relationship between the functional process item and
the related functional item provided by the system configuration
candidate, the degree of importance of the functional process item,
and the degree of functional sufficiency of the provided functional
item;
means for generating and displaying an evaluation window in a
designated display mode by using the calculated index; and
means for determining a system configuration to be proposed from
the defined system configuration candidates.
The means for defining the functional process model comprises: a
first function means of defining a status process model expressing
a status transition of each processing item of the business process
from the business process model as a lower layer of the business
process model; and a second function means of hierarchically
defining in detail the processing items executed in the statuses of
the status process model and its transition as a functional process
model and as a lower layer of the status process model. By the
second function means executing after execution of the first
function means, the functional process model is supported so as to
be inductively and systematically lead.
The means for determining a system configuration to be proposed
from the candidates can determine the system configuration in which
preference of the system introducer is reflected by providing means
for using the business support suitability, the degree of
excessiveness/deficiency of the provided function, and a system
introducing cost as criteria for selecting the system configuration
and for interactively setting a relative weight of each criterion
by the user of the tool.
The means for generating and displaying the evaluation window has
the function of visually displaying the degree of functional
support suitability by a graph and can identify and display the
particulars of the degree of excessiveness/deficiency of the
provided function by a bar graph by grouping the results of the
business support suitability and the degree of
excessiveness/deficiency of the provided function in accordance
with the difference between a necessary level and an attainment
level. The means for generating and displaying the evaluation
window has the function of visually displaying the functional
support suitability by a graph and displays the
excessiveness/deficiency by a broken line graph expressing the
results of the business support suitability of each functional
process element item and the degree of excessiveness/deficiency of
the provided function of the system providing function item by a
necessary level and an attainment level. Further, the means for
generating and displaying the evaluation window has the function of
visually displaying the functional support suitability by a graph
and can display the evaluation result of the support suitability of
each of the type and level of information processing and the type
of interactive processing by a broken line graph using axes of the
types.
According to a third embodiment of the invention, as in the second
embodiment, there is provided a system configuration proposal
support tool having a database server in which process model/system
configuration candidate information as shared sample information in
the event of the system configuration proposal is classified into
the business process types and is registered,
wherein the sample information is used or re-used as a sample by
connecting a plurality of system configuration proposal tools to
the server via a network.
According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, there is
provided a recording medium in which process model/system
configuration candidate information which is data used for the
foregoing system configuration proposal support tool when the
system configuration is proposed in each of the tools is classified
into business process types and recorded as shared sample
information.
More specifically, the configuration proposal support tool of the
invention comprises:
means for inductively breaking down the business process to a basic
function element unit of information processing and visually
interactively defining each element as a network-structured
functional process model in accordance with an information frame in
which conceptual levels of languages are unified by a language
expression configuration of 5W1H (when, where, who, why, what,
how);
means for visually and interactively defining a combination of
functional items of an information system used as a means for
carrying out each functional process and human information
processing functional items of a related worker as a system
configuration candidate in accordance with an information
frame;
means for visually and interactively defining the degree of
importance expressing the degree of importance of the defined each
functional process by numerical values and the degree of
sufficiency expressing the degree of functional sufficiency of each
of functional items provided by the system configuration candidate
by numerical values;
means for visually and interactively defining a relationship matrix
constructed by association of each of the functional items (means)
provided by the system configuration candidate to each of the items
(target) of the functional process and the degree of relationship
expressing the degree of the relationship by numerical value;
means for executing an evaluation operation for calculating the
degree of attainment of each functional process by executing a
mapping operation of a mapping function using the relationship
matrix to the degree of functional sufficiency of each of the
functional items provided by the system configuration candidate and
for obtaining the support suitability of the provided support
function to the business process by the difference between the
degree of attainment and the degree of importance of each
functional process; a means for executing an evaluation operation
for calculating the degree of necessity of each provided functional
process by executing the mapping operation of a reverse mapping
function using the relationship matrix to the degree of importance
of each functional process and obtaining the
excessiveness/deficiency of the provided function by the difference
between the degree of necessity and the functional sufficiency of
the provided functional item;
means for grouping the functional processes into types of
individual work, group communication, group coordination, and group
collaboration and mutual action (interactive loop) types of human
and information systems to business processes of a human loop, a
machine loop, a human-GUI loop, and a human machine loop and
totalling and normalizing the support suitability of each
functional process on the group unit (process type, information
process level, and interactive loop type) basis;
means for visually displaying the results of the evaluation
operations for the functional suitability by a graph;
means for determining the system configuration as optimum providing
function items to the business process on the basis of the
evaluation results of each of the system configuration candidates;
and
means for visually displaying the result by a graph.
The foregoing and other objects, advantages, manner of operation
and novel features of the present invention will be understood from
the following detailed description when read in connection with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of a
system configuration proposal support tool used in an embodiment of
the invention;
FIG. 2 shows an operation flow of a processing procedure of
resource library registration;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an initial
window of a system configuration proposal tool;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a resource
library registration window;
FIG. 5 shows an operation flow of a business functional process
definition;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a business
process definition window;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a business
status process definition window;
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a functional
process definition window;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation flow for definition of the
system configuration candidate and for giving relationship to
processes;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a system
configuration candidate definition window;
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a
functional process--system providing function relationship
definition window;
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a
functional process--system providing function interactive loop
definition window;
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing types of interaction
loops between business processes and resources,
FIG. 14 shows an operational flow of functional suitability
evaluation and analysis;
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing positioning of functional
suitability evaluation;
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of functional
suitability evaluation;
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a
suitability evaluation result display mode designation window;
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an entire
graph for the degree of suitability of business support and
evaluation result for a degree of excessiveness/deficiency of the
provided function;
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a graph of
the degree of suitability for process support by a system;
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a graph for
the degree of excessiveness/deficiency of the provided
function;
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a business
process suitability analysis result graph;
FIG. 22 shows an operational flow for the system configuration
proposal process;
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a weight
designation window for the system configuration selection
criteria;
FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display
window for the result of system configuration proposal;
FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a support
tool for the sample shared system configuration proposal according
to the invention; and
FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a support
tool for the system configuration proposal using portable samples
according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments of the invention will be described hereinbelow with
reference to the drawings.
As a first embodiment of the invention, the configuration and
operation for proposing a new system suitable for a business
process will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a system
configuration proposal support tool according to the invention. The
system configuration proposal support tool according to the
invention comprises the body 118 of an information processing
apparatus (hereinbelow, it will be also simply called a tool) for
executing a system configuration proposal support process, a
display 113 for displaying a definition window, an evaluation
result display window, and the like, and an input device 114a for
performing an operation such as inputting of various instructions
to the tool.
The tool 118 comprises a database 104 for accumulating various data
for support, a work memory 105 used for work, a program memory 112
for storing various programs for support, an input/output control
unit 116 for controlling inputting/outputting operations to the
display 113 and the input device 114a, and a CPU 117 for executing
various programs for inputting/outputting operations, processes for
accessing the memory and database, supporting processes, and the
like.
The database 104 has: a resource library 101 for storing resource
information such as tool, components, human resources, and the like
as component elements of the proposal system; a definition
information frame 102 for defining a business process by the
expression of a basic function element of information processing;
and a process/system configuration candidate information database
103 for storing process/system configuration candidate
information.
The work memory 105 temporarily stores data such as data necessary
in association with various processes of the CPU 117. For example,
the work memory 105 temporarily stores necessary information
retrieved from the database 104 and stores work regions and results
used for a process/system model definition program, a suitability
analysis/evaluation calculation program, a proposal system decision
calculation program, and an evaluation results display program.
The program memory 112 stores the following programs for execution
by the CPU 117; a process/system model definition program 106 for
supporting resource library definition, functional process model
definition, system configuration candidate definition, data
definition of the degree of importance of a process and the degree
of functional sufficiency, data definition of the type and level of
information processing and the type of interactive loop, matrix of
process-function relationship, and data definition of the degree of
relationship; a suitability evaluation calculation program 107; a
suitability analysis calculation program 108 for each type and
level of information processing and type of interactive process; a
proposal system configuration decision program 109 for determining
a proposal system configuration from system candidates by
suitability evaluation; an analysis/evaluation results display
program 110 for graphically displaying the analysis and evaluation
results; and a definition/display controller 111 for controlling
the above definition and display processes.
For instance, a CRT is used as the display 113. In the following
description, "display 113" is therefore also described as "CRT
113". Obviously, the display is not limited to a CRT. Other
displays such as a liquid crystal display and plasma display can be
also used.
As the input device 114a, for example, a keyboard 114, a mouse 115,
and the like can be used for selecting and setting the model
definition and related information. The invention is not obviously
limited to the above. Other input devices can be also used with or
instead of the above.
An example of the operation when the configuration of a new system
is proposed in the system configuration proposal support tool
according to the invention will be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 24.
FIG. 2 shows an operational flow of a process for preliminarily
registering resources as system configuration elements into the
resource library 101 by the process/system model definition program
106 in order to evaluate and propose the system configuration using
the system configuration proposal support tool of the invention.
FIG. 3 shows an example of an initial window of the system
configuration proposal tool. FIG. 4 shows an example of a resource
library registration window.
The CPU 117 executes a process for receiving selection of the
resource library registration by the user (step 201). That is, the
initial window of the system configuration proposal support tool is
displayed on the CRT 113 shown in FIG. 3. In the upper area of the
window, "business process adaptive system configuration proposal
tool: business process entire view" is displayed in the horizontal
direction. Below it, a tool menu bar 300a for tool menu selection
is displayed in the horizontal direction. In the menu bar 300a,
file (F), edit (E), display (V), tool (T) and help (H) are
displayed. By selecting one of them, the menu is further displayed.
The user can give an instruction by using the tool menu in the
initial window of the system configuration proposal support tool on
the CRT 113 shown by FIG. 3. When an instruction to select tool (T)
in the tool menu bar 300a is received, the support tool displays
the menu on the window and waits for an instruction input. When an
instruction to select resource library registration 301 is input by
the mouse 115 or keyboard 114, the instruction is received.
When the instruction to select the resource library registration
301 is received, the CPU 117 displays a resource library
registration window shown in FIG. 4 on the CRT 113. Displayed in
the registration window shown in FIG. 4 are the designation
"resource library registration", displayed in the horizontal
direction in the upper area of the window, OK button 4091 for
confirmation and consent, cancel button 4092 for cancellation of
the instruction, and help button 4093 for requesting help. Also
displayed are resource types 401, including information system
resource 4011, human resource 4012, and other resources 4013, for
selecting the type of resource, resource attribute 402, including
large classification 4021, detailed classification 4022, name 4023,
model name 4024, supplier 4025, and price 4026, for setting the
attribute of the resource, and a list of provided functional items
403a, including functional item selection 403, functional items
404, selection of the degree of sufficiency 405, functional
sufficiency degree 406, "add" button 407, and "delete button 408,
for showing the functional items provided by the registered
resources in a list.
Each of the buttons, such as OK button 4091, is displayed in a
figure illustrating the shape of a button as an area for receiving
an instruction. On the surface of the figure, character, code,
figure, and the like indicative of the contents of the instruction
to be received are displayed. The buttons are displayed similarly
also in other windows. The operation to the buttons is performed by
positioning the cursor on the figure of the button and clicking the
mouse. Consequently, if the button is pushed, the instruction is
inputted. In the specification, therefore, the expression the
"button is pushed" is used.
Either the information system resource 4011, human resource 4012,
and other resources 4013 in the resource types 401 to be registered
is selected by the mouse 115 or keyboard 114. Similarly, selections
regarding the large classification 4021, detailed classification
4022, name 4023, model name 4024, supplier 4025, and price 4026 in
the resource attribute 402 are received and registered.
The functional item 404 provided by the registered resource in the
list 403a of functional items is selected by pushing the add button
407 (delete button 408 in case of deletion) by using the mouse 115
or by receiving an input from the keyboard 114 and the selected
functional item 404 is set. An instruction to select the degree 406
of functional sufficiency of each functional item is received by
the pushing of the add button 407 by the mouse 115 and the degree
of sufficiency is set in the degree of functional sufficiency 406
(step 202). In such a state, an instruction is waited. After
confirming the registered information, the user can instruct the
registration of the set information by pushing the OK button 4091.
The CPU 117 then registers the set item in response thereto.
The operation is executed for each of the registration resources.
When all of the resources are registered, the operation is
finished. The CPU 117 checks if there is still an unregistered
resource. If all of the resources are registered, the resource
library registering process is finished (step 203).
The processing operation when the configuration of a new system is
proposed by using the system shown in FIG. 1 will be described by
an example of a help desk business.
First, the functional process model of a help desk business as an
application target is defined by the process/system model
definition program 106. FIG. 5 shows the operation flow for
defining the functional process model. FIG. 6 shows an example of a
business process definition window.
The CPU 117 receives the selection of the tool and supports
generation of a business process map by the selected tool (step
501). That is, the initial window of business process definition is
displayed on the CRT 113 shown in FIG. 6. In the upper area of the
window, "business process adaptive system configuration proposal
tool: business process entire view" is displayed in the horizontal
direction. Below that, the tool menu bar 300a for tool menu
selection is displayed in the horizontal direction in a manner
similar to the window of FIG. 3. Since the menu bar 300a has been
already described above, a description thereof has been omitted. In
the window of FIG. 6, a tool bar 600 is displayed vertically on the
left side.
In the tool bar 600, selection instruction buttons of text input
601, 5W1H information system frame dialog 602 for functional
process definition, start process definition 603, end process
definition 604, general process definition 605, inside-process link
definition 606, outside-process link definition 607, and outside
process information definition 608 are displayed. Inside each
button, a sign indicative of the function of each tool is reduced
and shown. By referring to the displayed figures and selecting a
necessary tool, the user can use the selected tool. When the user
selects a button, for instance, if the button is one of the buttons
602 to 608, the sign can be dragged into the business process
entire view window. For example, by changing the display sign of
the selected button, the user can be informed of the selection. In
case of the button 601, a text can be inputted into the window. The
button 602 will be described herein later.
The CPU 117 then executes the process as follows. The CPU 117
receives the selection of the text input 601, start process
definition 603, end process definition 604, general process
definition 605, inside-process link definition 606, outside process
link definition 607, or outside process information definition 608
from the tool bar 600 on the left side of the initial window of the
system configuration proposal tool on the CRT 113 as shown by FIG.
6 using the mouse 115 or the like. The CPU 117 arranges the figure
showing the sign of the received tool and receives an adjustment of
the size. By the selection of the button 601, the CPU 117 receives
a text inputted from the keyboard 114 and displays the text in a
necessary part. In this manner, the generation of the network
structured business process map 609 is supported (step 501).
The business process map 609 in FIG. 6 is a modelled example of the
help desk business such that an inquiry is received from a
questioner, the inquiry is transferred (dispatched) to specialists
in the field (including the person in charge who received the
inquiry) in accordance with the field of the inquiry, and the
specialists generate and send their answers to the questioner
simultaneously (concurrently). After the generation of the business
process map, the CPU 117 supports to define a status process map of
a detailed representation of process state transitions from the
business process map, as a lower layer of the business process map
(step 502). In this case, object designation by the mouse 115 with
respect to a process node of the business process map 609, for
example, an "answer generation" node 610 is received. By receiving
selection of node zoom-in 302 in the display menu (V) in the menu
bar 300a (refer to FIG. 3), the window is transitioned to a status
process layer view as shown in FIG. 7. In a manner similar to the
above-mentioned generation of the business process map, selection
of a definition component from the tool bar 600 is received, the
selected definition component is arranged in the window, and an
answer generation status transition diagram in the "answer
generation" node 610 is formed as A network-structured model,
thereby realizing the support.
The answer generation status process view shown in FIG. 7 has a
configuration similar to that of the window shown in each of FIGS.
3 and 6. The example shown in FIG. 7 is a model in which "problem
solution" 701 is transitioned from "state of awaiting a request for
the answer to the question" 702 to "state of investigation/inquiry
of confirmation of the inquiry" 703 after reception of the case.
When investigation is necessary, the state is transitioned to
"state of investigation/analysis of the inquired problem" 704.
After generation of the status process map, the CPU 117 supports a
process for defining the functional process map which details
information processes to the units of basic functional elements, as
a lower layer of the status process map. The information processes
are executed in each node state of the status process map (step
503). This is realized by performing support of transitioning the
window to the functional process layer view, selecting a definition
component from the tool bar 600, and arranging the selected
definition component by an operation similar to that for defining
the status process.
FIG. 8 shows a generation example of the functional process map of
the "state of investigation/inquiry of confirmation of the inquiry"
703. The functional process item as a node of the functional
process is defined in such a manner that the CPU 117 receives the
selection of the information frame utilization input 602 in the
tool bar 600 refers to the definition information frame 102 in the
database 104, and opens 5W1H information frame dialog box 802 for
defining a functional process.
In the dialog box 802, as 5W1H information, setting of the items of
"when" 8021, "where" 8022, "who" 8023, "why" 8024, "what" 8025, and
"how" 8026 is received. For example, in "when" 8021, the state,
time, case, and the like such as a time of an upper status process
node are set. In "where" 8022, a place in the business environment
is designated. For example, "at a questioner, "at a vendor", "in a
help desk room", or the like is received. In "who" 8023, an
executor of the functional process such as a questioner, a receiver
of an inquiry, an answerer to the inquiry, or the like is received.
In "why" 8024, the purpose such as, expression of the upper
business process node is received. In "what" 8025, as an object of
the information processing, designation of a business state/event,
a business resource, or an operation in business, for instance,
designation of the presence/absence of an answer requiring case,
lacked/inquired information, a real machine test, or the like is
received. In "how" 8026, designation of a basic functional element
of information processing is received. For example, designation of
an element such as get, set, action, event report, create, delete,
or the like as a basic element for communication is received.
Designation of conversion, analysis, synthesis, evaluation,
decision, planning, or the like as a functional element to use
information is also received in this case, selection of one of the
elements is accepted.
The setting of the setting items is received by a selecting
operation of the mouse 115 or inputting operation of the keyboard
114. In order to unify the expressions regarding the setting of the
same content, when already defined information is presented and the
same content exists, the information can be selected. In this
manner, the support for processing the functional process item name
definition is realized.
In the dialog box 802, setting of the degree of importance 8027,
type 8028, and level 8029 is also received. In the degree of
importance 8027, the degree of importance is selected by the mouse
115 from mandatory (1.0), rather necessary (0.75), may be necessary
(0.5), may be unnecessary (0.25), and unnecessary (0.0) in
accordance with the character such as indispensable, substitutable,
complementary, and supportive of the functional process item. The
information process type is selected by the mouse 115 or the like
from collaboration, coordination & communication, and personal
production. Further, the information processing level is selected
by the mouse 115 from skill level, rule level, and knowledge level.
In this manner, the setting of each item is supported.
For example, the formal expression according to the information
frame of "gather the lacked/inquired information from the inquiry
destination" 803 is set as follows; when="at the time of an inquiry
state", where="in the help desk room", who="an answerer to the
inquiry", why="to generate an answer", what="the inquiry
information from the inquiry destination", and how="gather". The
degree of importance is 1.0 since it is the indispensable process.
The information process type is "collaboration" since the process
is a team work of the questioner and the answerer. The information
processing level is "rule level" since it is a procedure
process.
By the above operation, the functional process model is defined.
After the definition, a file name is set and the data is stored
into the process/system., configuration candidate database 103,
thereby finishing the process (step 504).
The relationship between the new system configuration candidate
applied to the business and the functional process of each
candidate will be defined by the process/system model definition
program 106.
FIG. 9 shows an operation flow for defining the system
configuration candidate and for giving the relationship to the
processes. The CPU 117 displays an initial window for defining the
system configuration candidate and for giving the relationship to
the process on the CRT 113 of the system configuration proposal
tool (refer to FIG. 3).
The CPU 117 receives the instruction to the file 303 in the menu
bar 300a on the displayed initial window and opens the business
process file to be evaluated by retrieving it from the
process/system configuration candidate database 103 (step 901). The
selection of the system configuration candidate definition 304 is
received from the tool menu in the menu bar on the entire view of
the business process to be evaluated, which is displayed by opening
the file (step 902). Consequently, a system configuration candidate
definition window as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed.
The process for defining (a) system configuration candidate
(candidates) to he evaluated on the displayed system configuration
candidate definition window as shown in FIG. 10 is supported (step
903). First, an input of the system configuration candidate name is
received from the keyboard 114. The received system configuration
candidate name is displayed on a candidate name display 1010 and is
added to a registration candidate list 1020.
When the depression of add/alter button 1001a is detected, the CPU
117 displays a resource addition/alteration dialog box 1002. In the
dialog box 1002, retrieval conditions 1003 for setting the
conditions for retrieval are displayed. When the retrieval
conditions 1003 are received and the retrieval conditions are set,
a relevant candidate resource list 1004 from the registration
resource library 101 is displayed together with functional items
provided by the resource and functional sufficiency information
1005. The user can select the resource as a system configuration
element with reference to the functional items provided by the
resource and the functional sufficiency information 1005. The CPU
117 detects the depression of the add button 1006a by the mouse 115
and adds the selected resource to the selected resource list 107.
By repeating the operation to select a combination of necessary
resources, the definition of the system configuration candidate is
realized. After completion of the system configuration candidate
definition, when the OK button 1008 on the definition window is
depressed by the mouse 115, the definition information is
registered in the process/system configuration candidate database
103 and the configuration candidate definition is finished (step
904).
The CPU 117 again displays the initial window of the system
configuration proposal tool shown in FIG. 3 on the CRT 113. When
the process-system functional relationship definition 305 in the
tool menu is selected by the mouse 115 on the initial window, the
CPU 117 receives the selection and displays a system configuration
candidate selection dialog box (not shown) (step 905). The
selection of a system configuration candidate whose relationship is
to he defined is received via the mouse 115 in the system
configuration candidate selection dialog box. By the operation, a
relationship definition window as shown in FIG. 11 is opened (step
906). In the relationship definition window shown in FIG. 11, a
relationship matrix 1101 of the functional process items and
functional items provided by the selected system configuration
candidate, a relationship setting mode inputting part 1100, a set
button 1105a and a delete button 1105b are displayed in a frame
similar to the window shown in FIG. 4. Normally, the relationship
setting mode 1100 is displayed as a relationship setting input mode
1102. In the relationship setting input mode 1102, an association
1103 for providing the relationship between the functional process
item and the functional item provided by the system candidate and
the degree of relationship 1104 for setting the degree of
relationship are displayed.
The association 1103 between the functional process item and the
functional item provided by the system candidate is inputted with
the mouse 115. The degree of relationship 1104 is also received.
The degree of relationship is selected by the mouse 115 from
"corresponds" (1.0), "tightly related" (0.75), "related" (0.5), "a
little related" (0.25), and "not related" (0.0). When a depression
of the set button 1105a by the mouse 115 is detected, the CPU 117
sets the selected degree of relationship in the relevant row and
column 1106 on the matrix.
The input mode can be switched to an interactive loop input mode
1201 as shown in FIG. 12. In the mode 1201, a relationship display
1202 of the functional item provided by the system resource
relating to each functional process item and an interactive loop
type 1203 of each functional process item are shown. In the
relationship display 1202 of the system providing functional item
relating to each functional process item, selection regarding the
set item is received and the relationship is displayed. With
reference to the relationship display, for the type of the
interactive loop of each functional process item, the user selects
one of machine loop 1301 human loop 1302, human graphical user
interface (human-GUI) loop 1303, and human-machine loop 1304 by the
mouse 115 in accordance with the mode of the mutual action between
the process and the resources is shown in FIG. 13 and depresses the
set button 1105a with the mouse 115. The CPU 117 receives the
selection and sets the selected loop in the relevant column 1204 in
the relationship matrix (step 907). The machine loop 1301 is a loop
relating to a process automatically achieved by an information
resource or the like. The human loop 1302 is a loop relating to a
process achieved only by the human ability. The human-graphical
user interface (GUI) loop 1303 is a loop relating to a process
achieved between human and information resource GUI. The
human-machine loop 1304 is a loop relating to a process achieved by
a human using the information resource function. The relationship
definition is repeatedly executed with respect to all of the system
configuration candidates registered by the foregoing definition of
the system configuration candidate. When the relationship
definition is executed for all of the candidates, the operation is
finished (step 908). The definition information is stored in the
process/system configuration candidate database 103.
The functional suitability of each new system configuration
candidate to the business process is evaluated and analyzed by the
suitability evaluation calculation program 107, the suitability
analysis calculation program 108, and the analysis/evaluation
results display program 110. FIG. 14 shows an operation flow of the
functional suitability evaluation and analysis. In the functional
suitability evaluation, as shown in FIG. 15, the functional process
item represented as a basic functional element of information
processing is a purpose, the functional items provided by the
system configuration candidate are positioned as means for
achieving the purpose, and the suitability between the purpose and
the means is evaluated.
The CPU 117 displays the initial window of the system configuration
proposal tool, receives the instruction to the file 303 in the menu
bar 300a, and opens a process file to be evaluated (step 1401). The
CPU 117 receives selection regarding the suitability evaluation and
analysis from the tool menu in the menu bar via the mouse 115 (step
1402) in response to the selection, the suitability evaluation
calculation program 107 and the suitability analysis calculation
program 108 execute the suitability evaluation operation for
obtaining the business support suitability and the degree of
excessiveness/deficiency of the provided function of each system
configuration candidate and the suitability analysis operation by
the type and level of information processing and the type of
interactive processing of the functional process item (step
1403).
In the suitability evaluation calculation, as shown in FIG. 16, the
degree mT'(t) of attainment of business support by the provided
functional item is calculated by the following mapping function
equation in which the degree of relationship is a fuzzy
relationship, by the degree mR(t, f) of relationship of the
provided function item f relating to the functional process item t
which has been defined before, the degree mT(t) of importance of
the functional process item and the degree mF(f) of sufficiency of
the provided functional item. ##EQU1##
By executing the mapping calculation to the degree of importance of
the functional process item by the following reverse mapping
function equation, the degree mF'(f) of necessity of the provided
functional item is calculated. ##EQU2##
Since mT(t) which has been defined before becomes at a required
level and mT'(t) as the calculation result reaches a level which
can be attained by the provided function, the degree of business
functional suitability is evaluated by the difference. Similarly,
by the difference between mF(f) which has been defined before and
mF'(f) as the calculation result, the degree of
excessiveness/deficiency of the system providing function is
evaluated on the other hand, in the suitability analysis
calculation, the functional process items are grouped into the
information processing types, the information processing levels,
and the interactive process types. The business support suitability
AF'(%) on a group unit basis is calculated by the following
equation with respect to the functional process item (r) in the
group. ##EQU3##
After completion of the suitability evaluation/analysis process,
the CPU 117 displays the result display mode designation window as
shown in FIG. 17 (step 1404) on the result display mode designation
window shown in FIG. 17, an evaluation system configuration
candidate designation 1701 and result display mode designation 1702
are displayed. Operation buttons such as display 1703, end 1708,
and the like are also displayed. In the evaluation system
configuration candidate designation 1701, a region 1701a for
designating an evaluation system configuration candidate is
displayed. In this case, preregistered candidates are displayed and
one of them is selected and designated as a candidate. In the
result display mode designation 1702, the entire suitability graph
1704, the degree of suitability graph for the business support
1705, of the degree of excessiveness/deficiency graph for the
provided function 1706, and the suitability analysis graph 1707 are
displayed as options.
In this state, the CPU 117 receives the designation 1701 of the
evaluation system configuration candidate and designation regarding
the result display mode 1702 (step 1405). When an instruction
caused by the depression of the display button 1703 by the mouse
115 is received, the CPU 117 displays the result graph of the
designated candidate in the designated mode by the
analysis/evaluation result display program 110 (step 1406).
When the option of the entire suitability graph 1704 is instructed
in the display mode designation 1702, as shown in FIG. 18, the
particulars are displayed by the difference between the degree of
necessity and the degree of attainment of the business support
suitability degree and the degree of excessiveness/deficiency of
the provided function. The differences can be classified into "over
excessive; +0.75 or higher", "excessive; +0.25 to 0.5",
"appropriate; 0", "deficient; -0.25 to 0.5", and "too deficient;
-0.75 or lower". In the example of FIG. 18, in the selected system
configuration candidate, although there are no "over excessive" and
"too deficient", it is understood that the provided function is
deficient as a whole and the support to the business is
deficient.
When the graph 1705 of the suitability degree of the business
support is selected, a broken line graph of the necessary level and
the attainment level of support with respect to each functional
process item as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed. In the example of
FIG. 19, in the system to be evaluated, it will be understood that
while the necessary level of the functional process item of "judge
an unclear point in the contents of the inquiry" (refer to the
arrow "a" in FIG. 19) is 1.0, the attainment level of support is
only 0.5. On the contrary, with respect to the functional process
item of "gather the related information from book/product manual"
(refer to the arrow "b" in FIG. 19), it will be understood that the
attainment level is as excessive as 0.75 while the necessary level
is 0.5. As mentioned above, the excessiveness and deficiency of the
support to a business is visually displayed.
When the graph 1706 of the degree of excessiveness/deficiency for
the provided function is selected, a broken line graph of the
necessary level and the attainment level of the functional
sufficiency with respect to each provided functional item as shown
in FIG. 20 is displayed. In the example of FIG. 20, not only the
functional deficiency of the information resources such as an
electronic mail text editing function (refer to the arrow "a" in
FIG. 20) and a browser retrieval condition setting function (refer
to the arrow "b" in FIG. 20) but also the deficiency or
excessiveness of a functional item of a provided resource such as
the problem observation/analysis processing ability of a help desk
operator (refer to the arrow "c" in FIG. 20), the problem
identification ability (refer to the arrow "d" in FIG. 20), or the
problem evaluating/judging ability (refer to the arrow "e" in FIG.
20) are visually displayed.
When the suitability analysis graph 1707 is selected, the analysis
result of the particulars of the suitability from the viewpoints of
the information processing level/type and the interactive loop type
is displayed by a three-dimensional broken line graph as shown in
FIG. 21. In the example of FIG. 21, for example, it is shown that
each of the functional processing items (refer to the arrows "a"
and "b" in FIG. 21) regarding the personal productivity at the rule
level and the knowledge level has a low degree of attainment with
respect to the human loop. From such a display, which type of
support is deficient is shown in such a manner that the
computerizataion support for the proceeding and judging processes
executed by an operator at present are necessary.
The CPU 117 then receives an instruction from a window close
instruction button (not shown), closes the evaluation result graph
window, and returns to the display of the display mode designation
window (step 1407). In such a state, the system waits for the next
instruction. The operator can see another result or can finish the
process. The instruction can be given by using the mouse 115. When
the designation is executed on the display mode designation window,
the CPU 117 executes the above-mentioned displaying process in
accordance with the designation (step 1408). On the other hand,
when the end button 1708 is depressed by the mouse 115, the process
is finished (step 1409).
Subsequently, the system configuration proposal process will be
executed by the proposal system configuration decision program 109.
FIG. 22 shows an operation flow of the system configuration
proposal process.
The CPU 117 displays the initial window of the system configuration
proposal tool shown in FIG. 3, receives the designation of the
process file to be evaluated, and opens the process file (step
2201). When the system proposal generation 307 is selected by the
mouse 115 from the tool menu (T) in the menu bar 300a, the CPU 117
receives the selection (step 2202). Consequently, a weight
designation window for the system configuration selection criteria
as shown in FIG. 23 is displayed. In FIG. 23, the region of
relative weight designation 2301 of the evaluation criteria is
displayed. In the region, regions for designating the relative
weights regarding the three selection criteria of business support
suitability 2301a, provided function sufficiency 2301b, and
introducing cost 2301c when the proposal system is selected from
the system configuration candidates are provided. Those are
described so as to ex-press an addition equation and the "sum of
weights" 2301d is displayed.
The operator sets the relative weights of the three selection
criteria of the business support suitability 2301a, the provided
function sufficiency 2301b, and the introducing cost 2301c when the
proposal system is selected from the system configuration
candidates so as to be equal to 100(%) in total. The CPU 117
receives the setting and, after the setting, receives an
acknowledgment by the depression of the OK button 2302 (step
2203).
After that, the CPU 117 calculates a general evaluation value of
the business support suitability, a general evaluation value of the
degree of excessiveness/deficiency of the provided function, the
total sum of the introducing cost of each system configuration
candidate, and a general evaluation value of weighting. The CPU
decides the system configuration having the highest general
evaluation value as a most suitable system configuration and
prioritizes the other system configurations in accordance with the
order from the highest general evaluation value (step 2204).
When the total number of function process items is set to (n), the
general evaluation value MT' of the business support suitability of
the system configuration candidate is calculated by the following
equation. ##EQU4##
When the total number of provided function items is set to (m), the
general evaluation value MF' of the provided function excessiveness
and deficiency is calculated by the following equation.
##EQU5##
The introducing cost sum MC' is derived by obtaining the sum of the
prices in the resource attribute 402 of the provided function item
which has been defined before. In order to obtain a general
evaluation value P(c) of the weights of (X) existing system
configuration candidates (c), first, a general evaluation value
rsT'(c) of relatively normalized business support suitability, a
general evaluation value rsF'(c) of a relatively normalized
provided function excessiveness/deficiency, and a relatively
normalized introducing cost evaluation value rsC'(c) are calculated
by the following equations, respectively. ##EQU6## ##EQU7##
##EQU8##
Then the weighting general evaluation value P(c) is derived by the
following equation using a weight wT' of the business support
suitability, a weight wF' of the provided function sufficiency, and
a weight wC, of the introducing cost as the selection criteria.
For instance, it is assumed that there are three system
configuration candidates of help desk systems 1, 2, and 3. For the
help desk system 1, MTI(I)=0.74, MF'(1)=0.75, and MC'(1) 1,500,000
yen. For the help desk system 2, MT'(2) 0.45, MF'(2)=0.65, and MC'
(2)=1,000,000 yen. For the help desk system 3, MT'(3)=0.95,
MF'(3)=0.65, and MC'(3)=3,000,000 yen- When the weights of the
selection criteria wT' 0.5, wF'=0.2, and wC'=0.3, the relatively
normalized evaluation values are as follows; rsT'(1) 0.35,
rsF'(1)=0.36, rsC'(1)=0.34, rsT'(2)=0.21, rsF'(2)=0.32,
rsC'(2)=0.50, rsT'(3)=0.44, rsF'(3)=0.32, and rsC'(3) 0.16. The
general evaluation values are P(1) 0.35, P(2)=0.32, and P(3)=0.33.
Consequently, the help desk system 1 is selected as the most
suitable system configuration.
After determining the system configuration, the CPU 117 displays a
system configuration proposal result display window 2401 as shown
in FIG. 24 (step 2205). In the window, the system configuration
candidates are presented in the priority order.
By the above-mentioned configuration and operation, the business
functional process items can be inductively led without any
omissions by the role transition definition method from the
business process map and the definition method having uniformity
using the information frame. By deducing the functional process
items, the functional suitability between the business support
suitability and the provided function excessiveness/deficiency can
be evaluated by a simple mapping operation based on the association
with the functional items provided by the system including a human.
Consequently, the support to the new system configuration proposal
by which the functional support effects suited to the business is
obtained can be realized. Further, by the means for analyzing the
suitability with respect to each of the type and level of the
information processing and the type of the interactive processing
and the means for visually displaying the suitability evaluation
result and the analysis result by a graph, the result information
such as the degree of the support effect on the business process,
the business process item and type to which the support is
excessive or short, the degree of the functional
excessiveness/deficiency of the system configuration candidate, the
functional item to which the support is excessive or short, and the
effect of the resource processing ability of the human resource can
be provided in a mode having a high readability. Further, by the
proposal system determining means in which the functional
suitability and the cost are used as selection criteria and the
user can set the weighting of each criterion, the system
configuration having the best investment effect in which the
preference of the user is reflected can be selected.
A second embodiment of the invention will be described. In the
embodiment, a case of evaluating the functional suitability to the
business process to which the existing system is applied and
proposing an improved system will be described with reference to
FIGS. 9, 14, and 22.
The system configuration and operation are basically similar to
those of the foregoing first embodiment except for the following
point. In the operation flow of the definition of the system
configuration candidate and the association process to the process
shown in FIG. 9, the existing system configuration instead of the
system configuration candidate is defined and associated and the
operation for performing the evaluation and analysis process for
the functional suitability shown in FIG. 14 is performed. The
second embodiment will be described mainly by the different point
hereinbelow.
In the embodiment, first, the process shown in FIG. 14 is performed
and an evaluation/analysis result graph is displayed. By the
evaluation/analysis result graph, points to be improved of the
existing system such as an excessive/deficient point of the
support, an excessive/deficient point of the provided function, and
a point which requires support with respect to each of the type and
level of information processing and the type of interactive
processing are specified.
Subsequently, the system configuration candidate as a measure to
the improvement points is defined by a similar positioning as that
of the new system configuration candidate in the first embodiment
and the functional suitability evaluation/analysis operation
regarding the improved system configuration candidate is executed
again. Further, the system configuration proposal processing
operation shown in FIG. 22 is performed in a manner similar to the
first embodiment. As the result of the system configuration
decision, the most suitable improved system configuration is
selected from the improved system configuration candidates.
By the configuration and operation as mentioned above, also when
the improvement of the existing system is proposed, the proposal
can be supported by using means similar to that in the case of the
new system configuration proposal.
As a third embodiment of the invention, a case of commonly using
past new system configuration proposal, system improvement proposal
information, and resource library information as samples among the
users will be described by using FIG. 25.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a support tool configuration for the
sample shared system configuration proposal. The system operation
is basically similar to those in the first and second embodiments
except for the following point. In the third embodiment, in the
configuration as shown in FIG. 25, a shared sample/library database
server 2501 is provided, a LAN interface 2504 is also provided for
the body 118 of an information processor, and information can be
transferred/received between the server 2501 and the information
processor body 118 via the LAN interface 2505. In the server 2501,
a shared database 2502, a LAN interface 2503, a CPU 2506, a work
memory 2507, and a program memory 2508 are provided. In the shared
database 2502, the resource library and process/system
configuration candidates which have been defined, evaluated, and
proposed in the past are registered as samples and can be commonly
used by a plurality of users. This point is different from the
first and second embodiments.
In the third embodiment, when each user opens the process file to
be evaluated by his system configuration proposal support tool 118,
the user accesses the shared sample/library database server 2501
via the LAN 2505 by using the LAN interfaces 2504 and 2504,
retrieves and refers to a shared information file on the shared
database 2502 by the CPU 2506, the work memory 2507, and the
inquiry processing program 2508 for shared resource/sample library
on the server side, selects a shared information file similar to
the file to be evaluated, copies the selected file to the database
104 on his system configuration proposal support tool 118, corrects
the contents of the shared information file in accordance with the
file to be evaluated, and re-uses the corrected information,
thereby realizing the definition of the process/system
configuration candidate.
By commonly re-using the past system configuration proposal sample
information by the configuration and operation as mentioned above,
the amount of definition and a definition load of the tool user can
be reduced when a new system is proposed, and the knowledge of the
past system configuration proposal can be effectively used.
In the third embodiment, the information processor body 118 can be
a portable computer having a communication function. In this case,
the computer accesses to the server 2501 via a communication means
such as internet, necessary information is fetched, and the process
can be performed.
As a fourth embodiment of the invention, a case of carrying and
using the shared resource/sample information for proposing the
system configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
26.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a support tool configuration for the
system configuration proposal using portable samples. The system
operation is basically similar to those in the first, second, and
third embodiments except for the following point. As shown in FIG.
26, the information processor body 118 is provided with a floppy
disk driver 2603 and a CDROM driver 2604. A floppy disk 2601 for
storing the shared sample/resource library or a CD-ROM 2602 for
storing the shared sample/resource library is referred to for the
past system configuration proposal sample information. By using a
rewritable medium as a storage medium, the past system
configuration proposal sample information is stored in the medium
and the shared sample/resource library can be configurated. The
shared sample/resource library can be also updated by registering
new information.
Consequently, the past system configuration proposal sample
information is carried, and the sample information can be referred
to, corrected and re-used in a manner similar to the third
embodiment on the system configuration proposal support tool having
therein the floppy disk driver 2603 or CD-ROM driver 2604.
In the embodiment, the information processor body 118 can also be
constructed by a portable computer such as a notebook-type personal
computer having therein the floppy disk driver or CD-ROM driver.
Consequently, the past system configuration proposal sample
information can be carried and used. In case of proposing the
system configuration or consulting on the system configuration at a
destination such as a customer's place, the past system
configuration proposal sample information can be effectively
utilized by using the system configuration proposal support tool on
the notebook-type personal computer, so that high-quality proposal
and consultation service can be provided.
According to the embodiments of the invention as mentioned above,
the functional support effect of the system on the business process
to which the system is applied can be evaluated in the system
effect estimation and configuration proposal at the planning stage
of the configuration and improvement of the information system.
Consequently, the system configuration evaluation method which can
systematically derive the excessive/deficient point in the business
support and that in the functions provided by the system and can
evaluate the functional suitability and the system configuration
proposal support tool which can determine the system configuration
having the provided functional items suited to the business process
on the basis of the investment effects and the preference of the
introducer regarding the system selection criteria can be provided.
Especially, different from the conventional information system for
automatization to realize rationalization and reduction in the
number of workers, the invention is effective on evaluation of the
effects of the support system information system which executes the
business in cooperation with a human and the proposal of the system
configuration.
Since the functional suitability can be evaluated and the past
system configuration proposal sample can be commonly used, the user
or system engineer who examines the system configuration proposal
can select necessary tools from a group of various tools and
components as candidates, the work load of configurating the system
is reduced, and the system configuration proposal can be supported
by effectively and efficiently selecting tools and components.
Further, the system configuration proposal suitable to each
business process to which the system is applied is supported in
consideration of the investment effects and the preference of the
introducer regarding the system selection criteria, and the results
can be displayed by a visual graph having high visibility. In the
information system configuration consulting and SI support at a
customer's place or the like, therefore, if the floppy disk or
CD-ROM in which the system configuration proposal support tools and
the shared sample/resource library are registered is carried and
used, there is an effect such that the medium can be utilized as a
strong tool for providing a solution made for the customer in order
to increase the customer's satisfaction.
According to the invention, the effect evaluation of the support
system for enhancing the business processing ability of a human and
the system configuration proposal suitable to the business process
can be supported. Further, the influences of the support
information system and the ability of the related worker on the
business process can be quantitively evaluated.
* * * * *